Trendspotting and Future Thinking
What unites different disciplines is the concept of speculating about future trends. Thinking about the future and what potential clues can divulge about how it will reveal itself unites people across disciplines and professional purposes.
It is an area that is not owned by any one discipline. This course seeks to introduce the students to the concept of these trends, trendspotting and future thinking. Furthermore the course will introduce the students to the tools needed to understand trends and their role in society and how to best forsee and work with them in new business creation and developement.
Each lecture will focus on a different tool in the trendspotter's toolbox, and be organized around the students insights gathered using the tool and discussions about the applicability of these insights.
These tools include, but are not limited to
1. visioning and scenario planning
2. blogs and blogging
3. anthropology and sociology.
After this course the student should perceive trendspotting as a clear, understandable and approachable tool in new business creation and development and be able to:
- explain the concepts of trends, trendspotting and future thinking
- investigate the human fascination with the concept of the future and outline pitfalls in future thinking
- investigate and further develop the different ways in which future thinking can be mastered
- explore and discuss different types of trends from macro and megatrends to fashionable fads and microtrends
- reveal and further develop reliable sources for trendspotting.
The course is only offered within Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship (SSES).
Information for admitted students spring 2025
Congratulations! You have been admitted at Stockholm University and we hope that you will enjoy your studies with us.
In order to ensure that your studies begin as smoothly as possible we have compiled a short checklist for the beginning of the semester.
Follow the instructions on whether you have to reply to your offer or not.
universityadmissions.se
Checklist for admitted students
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Activate your university account
The first step in being able to register and gain access to all the university's IT services.
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Register at your department
Registration can be done in different ways. Read the instructions from your department below.
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Read all the information on this page
Here you will find what you need to know before your course or programme starts.
IMPORTANT
Your seat may be withdrawn if you do not register according to the instructions provided by your department.
Information from the department - courses
Welcome to Stockholm Business School (SBS). Click on the link to get more information about the start of your semester and how to register in order not to lose your place.
Welcome activities
Stockholm University organises a series of welcome activities that stretch over a few weeks at the beginning of each semester. The programme is voluntary (attendance is optional) and includes Arrival Service at the airport and an Orientation Day, see more details about these events below.
Your department may also organise activities for welcoming international students. More information will be provided by your specific department.
Find your way on campus
Stockholm University's main campus is in the Frescati area, north of the city centre. While most of our departments and offices are located here, there are also campus areas in other parts of the city.
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For new international students
It is an area that is not owned by any one discipline. This course seeks to introduce the students to the concept of these trends, trendspotting and future thinking. Furthermore the course will introduce the students to the tools needed to understand trends and their role in society and how to best forsee and work with them in new business creation and developement.
Each lecture will focus on a different tool in the trendspotter's toolbox, and be organized around the students insights gathered using the tool and discussions about the applicability of these insights.
These tools include, but are not limited to
1. visioning and scenario planning
2. blogs and blogging
3. anthropology and sociology.
After this course the student should perceive trendspotting as a clear, understandable and approachable tool in new business creation and development and be able to:
- explain the concepts of trends, trendspotting and future thinking
- investigate the human fascination with the concept of the future and outline pitfalls in future thinking
- investigate and further develop the different ways in which future thinking can be mastered
- explore and discuss different types of trends from macro and megatrends to fashionable fads and microtrends
- reveal and further develop reliable sources for trendspotting.
The course is only offered within Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship (SSES).
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Course structure
The course will mix and match lectures with debates, discussions and workshops by the students as well as leaders in the field.
Teaching format
There are three assignments in the course, introduced by the respective teacher in context to a specific lecture:
Assignment 1: Future Scenario
Assignment 2: Trends in Practice
Assignment 3:
Component 1: Reflecting on and communicating a possible future (video).
Component 2: Synopsis, combining the two prior assignments.
Component 3: Workshop participation.Attendance is compulsory.
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Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.
